Control panel

ABSTRACT

An illuminated control panel typically for an audio device used in an automobile. The control panel includes a front panel made of a light conducting material through which push buttons and switches extend. A light conducting diffuser extends over a substantial portion of the rear surface of the front panel. The light conducting diffuser contains a plurality of sources of light which produce a generally uniform distribution of light throughout the light conducting diffuser. The illuminated light conducting diffuser back lights the entire area of the front panel, thereby increasing the general illumination of the control panel and facilitating the location and identity of the push buttons and switches. The front panel is preferably colored to improve its general appeal and appearance. In an alternative embodiment, the control panel includes one or more trim plates that are attachable to the front panel and may be used and exchanged at the choice of the user.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/381,756filed Feb. 1, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,300.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to illuminated control panelsfor audio devices, and more particularly to control panels withtranslucent or transparent backlit front panels for automotive and/ortruck cassette/radio/compact disc players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common practice to provide illumination for portions of controlpanels for radios and other audio devices to facilitate their use atnight or during other conditions in which the ambient lighting is low.For example, it is a common practice to illuminate the tuning dial of aradio. Typically, the frequencies in the AM and/or FM bands are markedon opposed parallel scales extending longitudinally on a rectangular,transparent tuning plate. A tuning indicator is moved back and forthbehind the tuning plate to the appropriate frequency, and light bulbs orother illuminating devices are used to backlight the tuning plate sothat the frequency designations may be viewed at night, or under otherpoor lighting conditions. The tuning plate is mounted in an opaque framein which push buttons, knobs, and other switches are mounted.

More recently, with the advent of digital technology, the control panelof an audio device has changed significantly. For example, the backlittuning plate is replaced by a light emitting diode (LED) or liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel or screen which displays the characters andother indicia corresponding to the station currently being received bythe radio and other operating information. Typically, those displays areilluminated by light bulbs or other light sources located at the edgesof the screen. Further, the front portion of the control panel in whichpush buttons, switches and the character display are mounted is madefrom an opaque plastic or metal material; and often, the control panelis black in color. The push buttons and switches mounted in the controlpanel are operatively connected to electronic devices within or behindthe control panel. In order to facilitate their use at night, the pushbuttons are typically made of transparent "LEXAN" polycarbonatematerial, acrylic, or plexiglass. A label or other indicia is silkscreened in wax on the front surface of the push button. The visiblesurfaces of the push button are then painted black or another opaquecolor; and thereafter, the wax is removed which leaves the shape of thelabel or indicia extending through the paint and onto the clear plasticfront surface. Light bulbs are mounted behind the control panel andtheir light passes through the clear plastic push button to illuminatethe labels or indicia on the front surface of the interior of the pushbuttons.

In use, the only light provided by the control panel is the light fromthe LCD character display and the light from the indicia on the pushbuttons. Such light is minimal; and given the number of push buttons andswitches on contemporary control panels, the use of such a control panelat night, or in poor lighting conditions, has the disadvantage of beingsomewhat difficult to use. Further, as will be appreciated, themanufacture of an illuminated push button is time consuming, requiresseveral manufacturing process steps, and therefore has the disadvantageof being relatively expensive.

As an alternative to illuminating indicia on the front of the pushbuttons, another control panel construction provides a number of cutoutsimmediately above or otherwise adjacent to the push buttons. Behind theopaque control panel is a plastic diffuser which is molded to haveprojections mating with the cutouts in the panel. Those matingprojections extend through the cutouts to the front surface of the paneland are finished with the front panel surface to appear as a silverfinish during the daylight. Typically, LED's are used with the diffuserto illuminate the projections with color as desired at night. Onceagain, those projections provide minimal illumination and have thedisadvantage of being confusing and difficult to use. In addition, themanufacturing process of providing precisely mating molded pieces, aswell as finishing those pieces, requires additional manufacturing stepswhich add cost to the manufacturing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the disadvantages described above, the present inventionprovides a control panel which permits the location of push buttons andswitches to more easily be located and identified at night and in lowlight conditions. The control panel of the present invention is easierto use and is more pleasing in appearance.

According to the principles of the present invention and in accordancewith the described embodiments, the present invention provides a controlpanel for a radio, tape player or other audio device with a translucentor transparent front side. A light diffuser is mounted behind andextends over a substantial area of the rear surface of the transparentfront panel. A plurality of point sources of light extend into the lightconducting diffuser, and the diffuser provides an area source of lightwhich is distributed over the rear surface of the transparent frontpanel. A plurality of switches extend through openings in the frontpanel and the light diffuser. The light diffuser is effective tobacklight and illuminate the entire area of the transparent front sideof the control panel. Therefore, in contrast to the minimal lightprovided by illuminating push button indicia as shown in the prior art,the present invention illuminates the entire front of the control panelto provide a greater quantity of light. Therefore, the location of pushbuttons and other reference points, such as the disc/cassette-loadingslot, on the front of the control panel are easier to observe, locateand actuate. For example, the loading slot for the disc and/or tapeplayer is clearly outlined to facilitate the insertion and removal ofdiscs or tape cassettes.

Another embodiment of the invention provides for the application ofopaque labels and other indicia to the light conducting front of thecontrol panel adjacent respective switches. By illuminating the entirefront of the control panel, the opaque indicia are easy to read.

With a further embodiment of the invention, the light conductingdiffuser contains a set of blind holes, each of which contains a lightsource. In addition, a reflective surface is applied to the end of theblind hole so that light from the source, which would otherwise beemitted through the front surface of the light conducting diffuser, isreflected back into the diffuser. Therefore, the construction of thelight conducting diffuser provides a generally uniform and evendistribution of light throughout the diffuser with the advantage ofproviding a generally uniform illumination of the front of the controlpanel.

In another embodiment of the invention each of the light sources has acolored tubular diffuser boot, or sleeve, which is effective to diffusea similarly colored light throughout the light conducting diffuser,thereby illuminating the translucent or transparent front of the controlpanel with the colored light. The light conducting front of the controlpanel may be made to have a similar color tint thereby providing auniform and evenly distributed color appearance. The color may be chosento match colors surrounding the control panel, for example, the interiorcolors of an automobile, or other vehicle. The light conducting front ofthe control panel may be illuminated both day and night to facilitateuse of the control panel and provide a uniform attractive appearance.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the control panelincludes a panel assembly having a front panel, a plurality of switchesthat extend through the front panel and a source of light mountedgenerally behind the front panel and the plurality of switches. Thecontrol panel further includes a trim plate mounted on the front paneland covering the front surface thereof. The trim plate may be made of atransparent colored material, or alternatively the trim plate may bemade of an opaque material through which light does not pass. In afurther aspect of this embodiment, the trim plate may be made to have acombination of opaque and transparent surfaces so that light is visibleonly through the transparent surfaces. The trim plate is removablymounted on the front panel so that the user can easily exchange trimplates and have a control panel of any design, color, pattern ortexture. Therefore, this embodiment provides the advantage of providinga front panel to the control assembly which is almost infinitelyvariable and can satisfy a wide range of user choices.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent during the following detailed descriptionin conjunction with the drawings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective disassembled view of an illuminated front panelin accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2--2 of FIG.1 and illustrates the assembled control panel.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theilluminated front panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the illuminated control panel 20 of the presentinvention is shown in its preferable environment, that being adetachable control panel for an audio device, such as an AM-FM receiverand a media player as is typically found in automobiles, trucks, andother vehicles. The illuminated control panel 20 is selectivelyattachable and removable relative to a chassis 22 which is fixed in adashboard 24, or other mounting surface. The chassis 22 has an opening26 for receiving a tape cassette, or other recorded media, such as acompact disc, and further includes an electrical connector 28 which isconnectable to a mating connector (not shown) on the illuminated controlpanel 20. Attached to the electrical connector 28 is a multi-conductorcable 30 having wires to supply power to the illuminated control panel20, as well as conduct input signals from the illuminated control panel20 and provide output signals thereto. After connecting the electricalconnector 28 to the illuminated control panel 20 one end 32 of theilluminated control panel 20 is inserted into the chassis 22; andthereafter, the other end 34 of the illuminated control panel 20 isinserted into the chassis 22 until a tab 36 is engaged, thereby lockingthe illuminated control panel 20 in place in the chassis 22. When inthat position, the illuminated control panel 20 is used to operate theradio and recorded media player. To frustrate theft of the illuminatedcontrol panel 20, push button 38 is depressed which disengages a detent(not shown) in the chassis 22 operably associated with depressible pushbutton 38, thereby releasing the control panel 20 from the chassis 22.After disconnecting the electrical connector 28, the control panel 20 iscompletely separated from the chassis 22.

The control panel 20 includes a translucent or transparent front panel44 preferably injection molded from a light conducting durable plastic,for example, "LEXAN" polycarbonate. The front panel has contiguous frontsurfaces 45 which are visible to the user and contiguous rear surfaces47 (FIG. 2) which are hidden from view. The light conducting front panel44 contains a number of through holes or openings 46 which are sized toreceive control devices and switches, such as push buttons 48. The frontpanel 44 also has an opening 50 sized to receive a character display,such as an LCD display 52. The front panel 44 has a slot or channel 54therethrough which is sized to receive recorded media, such as, forexample, cassette tapes, CDs, etc. The front panel 44 also containsopaque labels or other opaque indicia 56 which are positioned inassociation with selected push button openings 58 and selected pushbuttons 59.

The push buttons 48, 59 preferably have an opaque body that extendsthrough one of the openings 46, 58 of the front panel 44; and furtherthe push buttons 48, 59 have a flange 60 which holds the push buttons48, 59 within the front panel 44. In addition, the push buttons 48, 59have actuating pins 62 which extend through holes 63 of a diffuser 64,holes 65 of a light conducting plate 66, and operatively contact in awell known manner switch elements (not shown) which are attached to aprinted circuit board 68. Depending on the physical size of the pushbuttons 48, they may, or may not, require auxiliary biasing means orcompression springs to return them to their original position afterbeing depressed.

Also mounted on the circuit board are a plurality of light sources, forexample, incandescent light bulbs, 70 which extend into the lightconducting plate 66. The light conducting plate 66 contains throughholes 72 or blinds holes 74 for receiving the light bulbs 70. Thepurpose of the light conducting plate 66, light bulbs 70, and diffuser64 is to convert the point sources of light provided by the light bulbs70 into a uniform area of evenly distributed light so that the frontpanel 44 is backlit evenly over its entire area. Preferably, whenviewing the front panel 44, locations of the light bulbs 70 are notdiscernable. The light conducting plate 66 is preferably injectionmolded from a clear plastic, for example, a clear acrylic material, sothat light may be transmitted or conducted throughout the interior ofthe light conducting plate 66.

To further reduce the appearance of hot spots or bright spots at thelocations of the light bulbs, the bulbs 70 are inserted into blind holes74 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the ends of the blind holes 74contain a reflective coating 76, such as a spot of white paint, or otherreflective material, that may be slightly transmissive of light, but isprimarily effective to reflect the light from the end of the blind hole74 back into the interior of the light conducting plate 66. Further,depending on the desired function and appearance, the bottom edgesurface 78 of the light conducting plate 66 may be coated with areflective coating 79, for example, a white paint or material tominimize illumination from the bottom edge surface of the front panel44, and reflect that light back into the light conducting plate 66. Onthe other hand, it is desirable to emit light from the upper edgesurface 80 of the light conducting plate 66 so that the slot or channel54 for recorded media is completely illuminated. As can be seen in FIG.2, in the assembled control panel, the one side of the diffuser 64contacts and covers the large outer directed side surface 75 of thelight conducting plate 66. Further, a substantial area of the rearsurfaces 47 of the front panel 44 abut up against the opposite side ofthe diffuser 64. Therefore, light from the bulbs 70 in blind holes 74 istransmitted laterally through the light conducting plate 66. The lightthen passes through the diffuser 64 and the light conducting front panel44 and illuminates the front surfaces 45 of the front panel 44.

There may be particular locations on the front panel 44 where there is ahigh density of push buttons, and greater light is desired. For example,at the point 82 on the front panel 44, there is a cluster of four,closely-spaced push buttons. Therefore, illumination through the frontpanel 44 at that point is going to be minimal. To increase theillumination at the point 82, the light conducting plate 66 contains athrough hole 72 into which the light bulb 70 extends. Consequently,there is a higher intensity and greater concentration of light extendingthrough the open end of through hole 72 which provides a greaterquantity of light at point 82 on the front panel 44. Preferably, thelight bulbs 70 and any associated diffuser sleeves are confined withinthe volume of the holes 72.

To further diffuse the light from light bulbs 70 and the front surfaceof the light conducting plate 66, a light diffuser 64 is located betweenthe front surface of the light conducting plate 66 and the rear surfaceof the front panel 44. The light diffuser 64 is preferably made from asheet material, for example, a polyester film. Further, the diffuser 64is sufficiently thick that the light sources 70 do not appear as brightor hot spots; however, the diffuser 64 cannot be so thick that the lightfrom the sources 70 is too dim. The proper thickness of the diffuser 64is determined experimentally by viewing the illumination of the frontpanel The optimum thickness of the diffuser 64 will vary as a functionof the number, size, power and location of the light sources. A diffuserhaving a thickness of 0.006 inches has been found suitable for thecontrol panel disclosed herein. Preferably, the diffuser 64 has a"frosted" appearance, that is, light passes through it, but objects arenot identifiable when viewed through the diffuser 64. The material mayalso be used at other strategic locations, for example a small diffusersheet 84 is located at one end of the character display 52 to diffuselight from the light source 86. The light sources 86 and 88 areeffective to illuminate the front screen of the LCD display 52.

Preferably, the front panel 44 is either clear or colored, however, thefront panel 44 must be non-opaque so that it conducts light through it.One of several preselected colors which may be chosen to match thecolors that are typically found in the surroundings in which theilluminated front panel is used. To further enhance the diffusion of thelight and to provide the desired color, each of the light bulbs 70 iscovered with a diffuser boot, or closed end sleeve 90. The sleeve 90 ispreferably made from a colored latex material which is chosen to matchthe desired color within the front panel 44. The sleeve 90 is sized tofit within the holes 72, 74 within the light conducting plate 66 andslide over the light bulbs 70. In the case of through holes 72, thesleeve 90 extends therethrough and contacts the diffuser 64.

As an assembly, the push buttons 48 are inserted from the rear withintheir respective openings 46, 58 within the front panel 44 until theirflanges 62 abut the rear surface of the front panel 44. The pins 62 ofthe push buttons 48 are aligned with and inserted through the holes 63of the diffuser 64 of the holes 65 of the light conducting plate 66. Theentire assembly of the control panel 20 is held together by the frontpanel 44 being connected with a mating rear panel 92. The front and rearpanels 44, 92 may be held together by mechanical connections, fasteners,welding, or any other appropriate mechanism. The rear panel 92 furtherincludes patterns of ventilation holes 94 which are located at differentpositions on the rear panel 92 to facilitate ventilation and the releaseof heat from within the control panel 20. Preferably, the rear panel 92is translucent and is injection molded from the same polycarbonatematerial as the front panel 44 and is colored to match the front panel44.

In use, when the power switch is actuated, the light bulbs 70 areilluminated and provide a generally uniform, evenly distributed lightacross the area covered by the diffuser 64 and the front screen of theLCD display 52. Therefore, the entire surface of the front panel 44 isilluminated with a clear or colored light. Further, the back lighting ofthe front panel 44 permits the opaque indicia 56 to be more clearlyidentified and read. By providing an entire surface or area of light,the illuminated front panel 44 much more clearly defines the locationsof the push buttons 48, and the channel 54 for recorded media.Therefore, the illuminated front panel facilitates use of the pushbuttons and switches and is less confusing and easier to use in lowlight conditions.

Four surfaces 96 form the slot or channel 54 which extends from thefront outer directed surface of the front panel 44 in a perpendiculardirection past the general plane of the rear surface of the front panel.Recorded media to be inserted into and removed from the chassis 22 ispassed through the channel 54. To facilitate the location and use of thechannel 54, light passes through and illuminates the sides 96. Toprovide additional light and further facilitate use of the illuminatedfront panel, the light conducting plate 66 has a clear tab 98 extendingfrom the top surface 80 and which when assembled fits into a notch orcutout 99 and is flush with the lower surface 100 of the opening 54.Therefore, even though the front panel 44 may be colored, the tab 98provides a source of clear light within the opening 54 therebyincreasing the amount of light in that area and further facilitating theidentification of the location of the opening 54 in low lightconditions. Further, the circuit board on which the light sources aremounted is described as also containing the electrical contacts for thepush buttons. Alternatively, the electrical contacts for the pushbuttons may be located elsewhere, for example, within the chassis 22. Inaddition, the light sources may be located in the chassis, and the lighttransmitted to the light conducting plate by light conducting rods thatextend to the light sources in the chassis.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the illuminated controlpanel that permits the user to selectively change the appearance of thecontrol panel. The control panel 109 includes a control panel assembly110 that is substantially identical to the assembly illustrated in FIG.2. The control panel assembly 110 includes a transparent front panel 44and a plurality of switches 48, 59 assembled within the control assembly110 and extending through the front panel 44 in a manner as previouslydescribed with regard to FIG. 1. The panel assembly 110 further includesa plurality of sources of light and a diffuser means both of which arenot shown in FIG. 3, but are assembled within the panel assembly 110 ina manner as previously described with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, but withone exception. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the panel assembly 110 ispreferably constructed to provide a non-colored, white illumination overa substantial area of the front panel, thereby back lighting the frontpanel and illuminating the front surface thereof. Consistent with theprior discussion with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, that non-coloredgenerally uniform illumination of the front panel 44 can be achieved invarious ways. For example, the panel assembly 110 can be constructedwithout using the colored latex boots 90 illustrated in FIG. 1.Therefore, no color will be introduced in the illumination of the panelassembly 110. Alternatively, latex boots 90 may be used that have afrosty or milky translucence that is effective to pass the light fromthe light sources in a non-colored but diffuse manner. In view of theprior description, the light bulbs 70, the latex boots 90, the lightconducting plate 66, and the diffuser 64 may be used in differentcombinations and be manufactured to provide different light conductingcharacteristics so that the front panel 44 is illuminated in a generallyuniform non-colored or white-like light.

This embodiment further includes a trim plate 112 which contains apattern of openings 114 that match the pattern of openings in the frontpanel 44. The trim plate 112 is sized to mount on the front panel 44, sothat it fits against and lays directly on top of the front surfaces 45of the front panel 44. Further, the trim plate 112 is preferablyrelatively thin but stiff enough to mate with the various contours andshapes of the front panel 44. The trim plate 112 is preferablymanufactured from a "LEXAN" polycarbonate plastic by a molding process,such as injection molding and is preferably mounted or attached to thefront panel 44 by known interlocking notches and tabs (not shown). In afirst aspect of this embodiment, the trim plate 112 is preferably madefrom a light conducting, that is, transparent, colored material so thatlight is carried or conducts through it. Further, the user may haveseveral trim plates 112 of different colors and can easily detach oneand mount another to suit the desires at any particular time.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the trim plate may be made of atotally opaque material as illustrated by the trim plate 116 of FIG. 3.Alternatively, in another aspect of this invention, the trim plate 118may include opaque surfaces 120 through which light does not pass; andlight from light sources within the panel assembly 110 are not visible.In addition, the trim plate 118 may also have transparent surfaces 122through which light from the light sources in the panel assembly 110 arevisible. In addition, the trim plates 112, 116, 118 may be manufacturedto have a variety of surface textures and different surface designs, forexample, stripes, wood grains, etc. Therefore, the variety of trimplates is almost infinite, and the user is able to select any one orseveral of available trim plates as the user desires at any time.Consequently, if the control panel is used in association with chassis22 that are located in different vehicles or other environments, theuser can choose different trim plates 112, 116, 118 to match the decorand color of those different environments.

While the invention has been set forth by a description of theembodiment in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or inany way limit the claims to such detail. Additional advantages andmodifications will readily appear to those who are skilled in the art.For example, the front panel 44 and trim plates 112, 116, 118 are notlimited to its use in detachable control panels or for vehicularpurposes. The construction of the described control panels is applicableto any audio device or appliance, regardless of its use. While the frontand rear panels 44, 92 and trim plates 112, 116, 118 are preferablyinjection molded from "LEXAN" polycarbonate, any other material thatconducts, transmits or conveys light may be used, for example,alternative plastics include acrylic or plexiglass.

With the present invention, the light conducting diffuser is made up ofa light conducting plate 66 and a separate diffusing material 64.Alternatively, the front or forward surface of the light conductingplate 66 may be etched or coated with a translucent material which has asimilar diffusing effect as the diffuser 64. Further, different colorsmay be achieved by using light bulbs 70 of one color, diffusers 90 ofanother color, and having a front panel that is clear, or further yet, athird color. Alternatively, the point sources of light may be LED's,incandescent light bulbs or any other point source of light. Using LEDsas the point sources of light also provide an alternative source ofcolor and may be switchable between an amber and a green color. Further,those colors may be filtered and/or transmitted through the lightconducting plate 66 to the front panel 44. In addition, the number andlocation of the light bulbs 70 are dependent on the desired illuminationof the front panel 44, and are also dependent on the type, size,location and density of the push buttons 48.

Further, the light conducting front panel 44 which includes opaqueindicia 56 permits the use of a solid opaque push button 59 which doesnot require the extensive and expensive manufacturing process to put aninternally lighted label on the front of the push button. Further, thepush button 59 may be made from a colored material less expensive thanthe clear "LEXAN" polycarbonate used to make illuminated push buttons.Alternatively, an illuminated push button 48 may also be used. With thepush button 48, light passes from the light conducting plate 66, throughthe translucent pin 62 and through the inside of the body of the pushbutton 48 and shine through indicia 108 on the front surface of the pushbuttons 48.

Instead of being made with the preferable transparent material,alternatively, the rear panel 92 may be made from an opaque materialsuch as that used in the prior art devices. As will be appreciated, thecontrol panel assembly 110 of FIG. 3 may have alternate constructionsdepending on the nature of the trim plates used. For example, if opaquetrim plates 116 are to be used with the panel assembly 110, the frontand rear panels of that panel assembly may be made from opaque materialsas opposed to transparent materials. Accordingly, departures may be madefrom the details described herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control panel for an audio device comprising:atransparent front panel having a rear surface, a front surface andopenings therethrough and adapted to be mounted to the audio device; alight source; a diffuser having a first opening sized to receive thelight source and second openings matching the openings in the frontpanel, the diffuser means extending over a substantial area of the rearsurface of the transparent front panel to provide a generally uniformsource of light; a plurality of switches extending through the openingsin the transparent front panel and the second openings in the diffusermeans; and the front panel having an illuminated front surface beingluminous over substantially the entirety of the front surface inresponse to the light source and the diffuser back lighting a portion ofthe rear surface of the front panel with the generally uniform source oflight.
 2. The control panel of claim 1 wherein the front panel includesopaque indicia applied thereto in association with ones of the pluralityof switches and the back lighting of the front panel provides a lightingcontrast with the opaque indicia to clearly identify the opaque indicia.3. The control panel of claim 1 wherein the light conducting diffuserfurther comprises:a light conducting plate; and a light diffusingsurface extending over one side of the light conducting plate adjacentthe rear surface of the front panel.
 4. The control panel of claim 1wherein the light conducting diffuser is a transparent member.
 5. Thecontrol panel of claim 3 wherein the light conducting plate is a cleartransparent member.
 6. The control panel of claim 3 wherein the lightdiffusing surface is a frosted surface.
 7. The control panel of claim 3wherein the light diffusing surface is on a polyester film.
 8. Thecontrol panel of claim 1 wherein the light conducting diffuser furthercomprises:at least one hole extending from a rear side of the lightconducting diffuser, the one hole having one end receiving the lightsource.
 9. The control panel of claim 8 further comprising a reflectiveelement located near an opposite end of the hole to reflect light backinto the light conducting diffuser.
 10. The control panel of claim 1wherein the light conducting diffuser further comprises at least onethrough-hole extending between the rear and a front side of the lightconducting diffuser, the one through-hole receiving the light source.11. The control panel of claim 1 further comprising a diffuser locatedbetween the light source and the light conducting diffuser.
 12. Thecontrol panel of claim 11 wherein the diffuser comprises a lightconducting tubular sleeve extending over the light source to diffuse thelight therefrom prior to the light entering the light conductingdiffuser.
 13. The control panel of claim 12 wherein the diffusercomprises a light conducting colored material.
 14. The control panel ofclaim 1 wherein the front panel is a light conducting colored material.15. The control panel of claim 1 wherein ones of the plurality of pushbuttons are made from an opaque material.
 16. The control panel of claim1 further including an opening sized to receive recorded media, theopening being formed by a plurality of surfaces on the front panel, theplurality of surfaces conducting light from the light sources, therebyilluminating the opening to facilitate inserting and removing recordedmedia from the opening.
 17. The control panel of claim 16 wherein thelight conducting diffuser includes a tab extending from an edge thereofand through a cut out in one of the plurality of surfaces, therebyilluminating the opening.
 18. A control panel for an audio devicecomprising:a front panel made of a light conducting material having anopening therethrough and adapted to be mounted to the audio device; alight conducting diffuser having one side mounted adjacent to andextending over a portion of a rear side of the front panel; a lightsource mounted adjacent an opposite side of the light conductingdiffuser, the light source in combination with the light conductingdiffuser providing a generally uniform source of light backlighting therear side of the front panel; a switch extending through the opening inthe front panel; and the front panel having an illuminated front surfacebeing luminous over substantially all of the front surface in responseto the light source and the light conducting diffuser backlighting therear surface of the front panel with the generally uniform source oflight, the front surface being luminous over substantially all of thefront surface.
 19. A detachable control panel for a radio receivercomprising:a front panel made from a light conducting material andhaving opaque indicia applied thereto, the front panel containingopenings extending therethrough; a light conducting plate mountedadjacent to and extending over a portion of a rear side of the frontpanel, the light conducting plate having openings matching the openingsin the front panel; a light diffuser mounted between a front side of thelight conducting plate and the rear side of the front panel, the lightdiffuser have opening extending therethrough matching the openings inthe light conducting plate and the front panel; a circuit board locatedadjacent a rear side of the light conducting plate; a light sourcemounted on the circuit board and having one end connected to a powersource on the circuit board and having an opposite end extending intothe light conducting plate; a character display mounted on the circuitboard adjacent the light conducting plate, the source of light beingmounted adjacent the character display for illuminating a front surfaceof optical character display; a plurality of switches extending throughthe openings in the front panel, the openings in the light diffuser andthe openings in the light conducting plate, the plurality of switchesoperatively contacting switch elements on the circuit board; and a rearpanel connected to the front panel and enclosing therebetween the lightconducting plate, the light diffuser, the light source, the circuitboard, the character display, and the plurality of switches, the lightsource providing a generally uniform illumination of the characterdisplay and the front panel, the illumination of the front panelcontrasting with the indicia thereon and contrasting with the pluralityof switches to more clearly identify the indicia and the locations ofthe plurality of switches.